On a more complex level, the words and terms your use carry historic patterns. There are words that use to be acceptable that we no longer use because they’re now offensive. We’ve become more mindful of our language.

In 1981, I was the Church secretary for a United Methodist Church. The female pastor would have me retype the hymns to use non sexist terms for God.

For many years it didn’t bother me to call God “He”. I grew up in a male dominated family, I felt I could hold my own around the term. But God as “Father” affected my spiritual experience. Father did not have my best interest at heart. It was not a benevolent universe.

Some people simply refer to God as “She”, and that brings in a different feeling. And yet that may not work for folks with mother issues.

Early on, I began calling it Universe because it didn’t have a gender. And made for a friendlier relationship with it. “Hey U” I’d say, having conversations rather than prayers.

But all of this was still outside myself. Something other than me. Although I knew I was Spirit there still was a hierarchy and Universe was outside and above.

At some point I realized I needed a new name, and Consciousness was what it felt like. When I use the term Consciousness, it feels expansive, it’s both me, within me, and all that is, externally.

For me, Consciousness has no other references. But many others think it just means “awareness”. Or Cosmic Consciousness, which to me has a historical connotation, from my early Mystery School training.

Now Awareness could be used instead of Consciousness and evoke the same feeling. For a while I’d used the term Essence, as in the Essence of who you are. Essence for me is internal. Consciousness encompasses all.

When I am identifying as Consciousness and navigating as Consciousness in my life, things reorganize in my favor. I feel lighthearted, amused, curious, excited, in love with life, in love with my ‘self’, in love with the world.

Notice for yourself if the terms you use need upgrading. Do they feel light and expansive and full of possibility? If not, simply trying out a different word can transform your entire life!